🏟️ Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain.
📅 Wednesday 26th February.
🕧 Kick-off: 20:00 (GMT).
🏆 UEFA Champions League.
📺 TV: BT Sport 2 (UK).
In arguably the biggest match of the round of 16 - Manchester City travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to play Real Madrid.
Stuttering Spaniards
Real Madrid enter this match having lost to Levante at the weekend, and Barcelona overtook them at the top of La Liga. Their form is sketchy at best as they only managed a draw at home to Celta Vigo in the match before their loss to Levante. Real Madrid have been Champions League specialists in recent years; winning four out of the last six editions even when league form has deserted them during that time.
Real comfortably qualified in 2nd position in their group behind PSG; they are also at 12/1 to win this season’s Champions League.
Champions League ban
The recent headlines surrounding the Etihad have been mainly about Manchester City being handed a two-year ban from the Champions League by UEFA. They will appeal that decision, but unless they win, Real Madrid may well be their last Champions League opponent for some time. Like Real Madrid - Man City qualified with ease, but unlike Real - City topped their group. Man City’s league challenge is over, with an almost guaranteed second-place finish after their impressive 0-1 win at Leicester on Saturday. However, they do have an EFL Cup final match against Aston Villa on Sunday, but their priority is obviously the Champions League. Man City are the favourites to win this season’s edition at 4/1.
Match preview
History is not on Man City’s side as they have never beaten Real Madrid in four attempts. City are a much better side under Guardiola, and the H2H between the two won’t tell us much about the outcome this evening. Man City will try to keep possession of the ball and starve Real Madrid of any meaningful attacks. However, the Mancunians are up against a team that are capable of dominating possession too. The most interesting aspect of this game will be looking at how Real Madrid set up to play. At the Bernabeu, they will look to overwhelm their opponent and take a commanding lead to Manchester. Real Madrid are 23/10 to win this match to nil. Guardiola’s teams have struggled in the Champions League in recent years; especially away from home. He has found the balance between being attacking and cautious difficult.
Injury news
Real Madrid: Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard.
Manchester City: Leroy Sane.
Betting tip
Real Madrid are the underdogs for this match, and you can get odds of 9/5 for them to defeat Manchester City at the Bernabeu.
Whatever you bet on, enjoy the game and don’t forget that our prices are subject to fluctuation. Please check our Sports Betting page for the latest odds.